Chapter 52: Chapter 52: Reluctance and the Secrets of War
Has he become a Major just like that?
Qin Tian was startled, because even though he had never been in the army, he knew the value of a Major’s military rank.
Being a Major officially marks entry into the ranks of officers, corresponding to the level of Battalion commanders, and belongs to the backbone of the troops.
According to past conventions, it was almost impossible to be promoted to Major without seven or eight years.
And now, he had achieved such success in just one month.
The rate of promotion was faster than a rocket.
Of course, Qin Tian also knew very well that this promotion was definitely related to his identity as a Clone.
The Seventh Bureau should be what Jia Xiu mentioned, a special department dedicated to nurturing Clones.
"Apart from the promotion, the Seventh Bureau offers you two choices for work arrangements."
Yan Qing continued, "First, you will be sent to the third garrison on Silver Gray Star to serve as a Battalion Commander and enjoy extra allowances for special talents."
A Battalion Commander?
Qin Tian’s gaze was calm. Whether in the past life or this life, he had never held a leadership position and had little desire for power.
Compared to managing subordinates, he preferred to spend time improving his own strength.
Yan Qing seemed to see through Qin Tian’s thoughts and continued saying:
"Second, go to Eagle Military Academy on Silver Gray Star for further studies for three years, and after graduation, enter the Seventh Bureau’s Special Task Force, with work and position pending."
As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Tian immediately noticed someone tugging at his hem— it was Xiao Yunlong who did it twice.
Qin Tian smiled. It appeared that Xiao Yunlong had the same thought.
Military academy is much more interesting than being a Battalion Commander.
"I choose the second!"
Qin Tian said immediately.
After he spoke, Qin Dadi, Liu Zhaozhao, and Xiao Yunlong all breathed a sigh of relief.
The first option was good, but compared to studying at a military academy, graduating, and entering a special department, being a Battalion Commander didn’t seem so appealing.
Yan Qing wasn’t surprised by Qin Tian’s choice, a smile appeared on his face:
"Major Qin Tian, since you’ve made your choice, you will leave with me in two days to Silver Gray Star to handle enrollment procedures."
What, leaving in two days!!!
Upon hearing this news, the members of the Earth Dragon Team felt a tightening in their hearts, as if something precious was about to move away from them.
In nearly a month of spending every moment together, they had experienced many things with Qin Tian. They were teammates, comrades-in-arms, and cherished friends.
They understood well how rare the opportunity for further study at a military academy was, and the fact that a superior leader came personally demonstrated Qin Tian’s importance.
But knowing that Qin Tian would be leaving in two days still left them with a hollow feeling, unable to let go.
Noticing the change in the Earth Dragon Team’s emotions, Yan Qing was somewhat surprised.
Among the many Cloned Soldiers he had selected, almost every one of them had some personality issues—some were extremely indifferent, others were rash and impulsive, some were completely unorganized, making it very difficult for them to get along with those around them.
This was the first time he encountered someone who, when leaving, evoked such a strong sense of reluctance from his teammates.
"Interesting."
Yan Qing’s lips slightly curved upward. The Seventh Bureau was mainly responsible for the selection and training of Clones. Whether one could enter a higher unit in the future depended not only on the Clone Soldier’s talent and strength but also on their character, which was one of the primary evaluation criteria.
He hadn’t sent talent to a higher level for years because the Cloned Soldiers sent up were all eliminated at the character assessment stage.
Although the higher-ups hadn’t punished him, he still felt quite defeated inside.
However, this cloned soldier before him might become a major breakthrough in his work.
"I won’t disturb you these two days, so say a proper goodbye to your friends."
Considerately, Yan Qing left the time for Qin Tian and his teammates, as he departed with Dai Xianghe, Jia Xiu, and others.
After they left, the Earth Dragon Team stood in place, silent for a long time.
Qin Dadi and the others were reluctant to see Qin Tian leave.
And Qin Tian himself didn’t really want to leave his teammates, either.
From the first day he joined the Earth Dragon Team, everyone in the team took great care of him—steadfast and mature Qin Dadi, quiet and attentive Liu Zhaozhao, and his best companion, the talkative yet sincere Xiao Yunlong.
The Earth Dragon Team felt like a warm little family, allowing him, the Transmigrator, to quickly integrate into the new world.
Without their unreserved care and help, even if he had a cheat ability, he couldn’t have achieved so much in just a month.
He didn’t want to leave everyone.
Moreover, he worried, about what if the Earth Dragon Team were assigned dangerous tasks after he left?
He really couldn’t be at ease.
"Qin Tian~"
Finally, it was Qin Dadi who spoke first, with a smile on his face:
"Congratulations, you are now a Major. Next time we meet, I’ll have to address you as sir."
Seeing Qin Tian’s silence, Qin Dadi patted him on the shoulder and smiled:
"Alright, this is clearly something to be happy about, why is it turning so sentimental?"
"You don’t have to worry about us. I’ve already inquired about it, the war on Alpha 7 Star is about to end."
"Do you know why the Empire is at war with the Beastmen on Star 7? The reason is simple, for the Flame Crystal Ore beneath our feet, especially the most important Flame Crystal Core."
"The Flame Crystal Core is an extremely rare treasure material, containing abundant Power of Fire Element. It’s said to be one of the important resources for Tier Seven Flame Spiritualists to break through to Tier Eight, so both the Empire and Beastmen are determined to get the Flame Crystal Core."
"However, to extract Flame Crystal Core, one must occupy the entire ore vein and then gradually detect where the core is."
"After more than two years of war, almost all the Flame Crystal Ores on Alpha 7 Star have been occupied by both sides, and the cores have been distributed almost completely, so the war is also coming to an end."
Qin Dadi said with a smile: "It won’t be long before the three of us go home."
Military Special Forces usually consist of two categories of people.
The first category is professional soldiers who follow orders from superiors and are dispatched to various units to perform special operations tasks.
The second category is Civilian Transcendents who joined the army voluntarily after the Empire issued a conscription order, and most of them came for Military Merit Points and the resources behind them.
During wartime, these Civilian Transcendents are treated the same as professional soldiers and enjoy all military benefits. After the war, they can continue to fight with the army or retain the title of honorary soldier and return home safely.
Qin Dadi, Liu Zhaozhao, and Xiao Yunlong all belong to the second category.
Go home?
It’s a pity I don’t have a home.
Qin Tian felt a sadness in his heart, but soon, he felt happy for Qin Dadi and the others, and his mood was much lighter.
As long as his teammates can return home safely, there will always be times to meet again in the future.
"Qin Tian, study well at the military academy."
Xiao Yunlong wrapped an arm around Qin Tian’s shoulder, his eyes slightly red but still with a smile on his face, "When you become a big leader, don’t forget to give your brother a hand. I don’t ask for much, just let me be a military commander."
Qin Tian said lightly: "I can’t promise a military commander, but I can arrange for you to raise pigs."
"Wow, you heartless guy, after all the good I’ve done for you, no way, tonight I must make you drink until you pass out."
Xiao Yunlong said menacingly.
"Right, we won’t go home if we’re not drunk!" Qin Dadi laughed.
"Not drunk, not home~"
Liu Zhaozhao said cutely.
If you want to get me drunk, you’ll be disappointed.
Qin Tian smiled slightly: "Bring it on."